First GDC Charity Poker Tournament Announced

Organizers from Interactive Studio Management (ISM) and CMP Game Group (which also operates this website) have announced that a charity poker tournament will be held at the forthcoming Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco on March 6th. The benefits of the tournament will be donated to the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, which helps seriously ill children and their families in the U.S. through a series of in-hospital, outpatient, school and home-based programs and services. One hundred and twenty players will be selected from within the video game industry via invitation and silent bid to play for prizes donated by GDC industry partners, as well as a trophy and the title of “ISM Invitational Poker Champion – GDC '07”. Stew Kosoy, senior partner, ISM Agency commented, "We're excited about bringing together a broad mix of video game professionals from across all sectors of the industry and around the globe for a great game of poker in this first ever benefit competition. We expect that everyone will have a great time and raise a substantial amount for the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, this year's benefit partner. Our hope is that the money raised from this charity event will help them continue their inspirational work in helping seriously ill children and their families." "This association with Interactive Studio Management and the Game Developers Conference is a natural for us," says Paula Van Ness, CEO of Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation. "We have found that having fun, and interactive gaming in particular, is an effective way to help children cope with a serious illness. We are honored to have been selected to benefit from this fundraiser." The benefit competition will be held on March 6th beginning at 9:30pm (with doors opening at 9:00pm) at the Marriott Hotel in Golden Gate rooms C2-C3. An entry donation of $100 minimum is suggested for each player, but no fee will be required for observers.